Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-18
IN A TIGERS MOUTH.
Capt. Bradford's Thrilling Adyentu
Story as Narrated by Himself.

Capt BradfOrds Thrilling Adyentu The
Story as Narrated by Himself
The Times of India some time ago pub
lished the following: "As young offic er
doing duty with a Madras cavalry regi-
ment, Sir Edward Branford was a keen
sportsman. One day, when tiger shoot
ing, he missed his mark and soon found
himself in tigers clutches. It was an anx-
ious moment few of his friends being at
hand. AS a sportsman of experience,
Sir Edward knew well that his best course
was to lie quietly and sham death. The
tiger surveyed his prey, looked around,
and, thinking all was safe, set steadily to
work to make it's meal. Taking the
young officers hand in his mouth it was
steadily disposed of, and the arm chewed
to the elbow before Sir Edwards COM
panions came up and released him. The
cool resolution CT the man in feigning
death had been the means of saving what
has since proven to be a most valuable
life, for had he moved or uttered even
groan, the tiger would have put an end to
his existence before going on with his
rerast."
This story coming to the eve of a
gentleman in Alabama, he sent the fol-
lowing version of the affair to the Pensa-
cola (Fla.) Advance Gazette: ''In 1870
met Capt. Bradford at Jeypoor, in
Rajyootana, India, where he was resident
political agent. He was indeed a man of
clear grit and a thorough gentleman;
his coat sleeve was quite empty, though
with his other arm be could and did
handle small light gun ard was still
fond of shooting. His taste for tiger
shooting was, however, gone. From him
/ learned that he and some more of his
officers were out on a tiger hunt,
and were in line some distance from
each other, awaiting the coming of long
line of heaters, who, with their horns,
shrill pipes, drums, yells, etc., were driv.
| ing the game before them. Bradford's
stand was next to a river; he thought it
| advisable to get up tree, and unfor-
tunately selected one with a sloping
trunk, he then went out on large branch
| where be could get a fair sight, and
awaited events; presently tiger came
sneaking along, every now and then
looking back in the direction of the
noise, from which it was flung. Brad
ford fired, mortally wounding the tiger,
who looked up and caught sight of him.
With hoarse growl of rage it rushed up
the sloping trunk Ia tiger can't climb a
straight tree) and came out along the
branch, to reck its vengeance
'Bradford raised his double barreled
rife, took aim and pulled the trigger, the
tiger being quite close, but tho hammer
in falling caught twig. The cap did
not explode; there was no time to recock.
One thought, one hope flashed in his
mind. He dropped the rifle and sprang
into the river. The tiger would not fol-
low him there He was mistaken. One
moment and it was after him. Automat-
lcally, without knowing 1T, he put out
one arm to fend off the danger; this the
tigar seized and dragged him ashore.
Bradford had tainted. He felt the one
pang when the powerful jaws closed on
his arm, crushing the bone like an egg
shell, and for some time he knew no
more.
"When he regained consciousness the
ally-wounded tiger was lying with
its head and one huge paw across his
chest, weighing him down his arm in
the tigers mouth, its hot breath On his
face; it had crunched his arm from wrist
to shoulder.
Did you feel pain or fear? l asked.
mo pain, no fear, only a numbed
feeling in the brain, sensation of hope
then death was near.
'What time had elapsed he did not
know. Just then an officer and one of
the native troopers came running up.
The officer tried to take aim, but the
tigers body was so that he could not
shoot it without danger to the man be-
meath it. The havildar never hesitated,
but rushed in and drove his tulwar through
the tigers heart, rolling it off the body
of the officer.
Bradford was loved by his men, who
would have followed him to the death and
risked anything for him.
San express messenger was dispatched
20 the cantonment for the surgeon, and.
Bradford put on an improvised litter
carried to meet him, which they did
about half way, under tree. The sur
geOn then and there took his arm off.
which was buried and not eaten by the
tiger. as stated.
"A tiger becomes very vicious when
wounded, but would not have remained
Ito indulge in even the luxury of mans
army if it had not been mortally wounded,
the mischief 1t did being its last effort"
Age Before Beauty
KATE don't think I'll wear frizzes
any more. They're great deal of trouble
in warm weather.
Laura-But consider your appearance.
You look ever so much nicer with them.
"Fiddlesticks! Comfort before appear
ance. They're a nuisance about ones
face after the perspiration has taken the
kink oat of them"
"Yes, dear, but you look at least six
years older with your hair brushed back"
sob, well, will wear them then, just
to please you They're not so awful
much bother after all.''